AKRON, Ohio — Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan reacted to the ongoing spike in murders in the city, saying nothing weighs more heavily on his heart than senseless gun violence.
"We cannot afford more pain and more death and more fear. Innocent children are being murdered. The violence is heartbreaking," Horrigan said during a videotaped statement released over social media Tuesday afternoon.
Police Chief Kenneth Ball said the homicide rate is up 50% and calls for shots fired have jumped 25%.
Thirty-three murders have been reported in Akron this year, matching the total for all of last year. Seven of the murder victims have been under the age of 19.
Ball said there has also been an increase in the number of juveniles involved in gun crimes.
"We are seeing many more 12, 13, and 14-year-olds being arrested with firearms," Ball said.
Last Friday night, 8-year-old Mikayla Pickett was shot and killed after gunfire erupted at a teen party on Roselle Avenue.
Earlier this month, 1-year-old Tyree Halsell died after multiple shots were fired outside of a home on 5th Avenue.
Detectives continue to follow leads but have not figured out who killed either child.
Ball said the department is analyzing data to shift officers into neighborhoods that experience more crime, but stressed help from the public is needed to help solve some of the murders.
"You can't become complacent. You can't accept the fact that this is a normal thing in your neighborhood because it shouldn't be," Ball said. "If you hear things, look out the window. Any information that we receive can be helpful."
The 32nd and 33rd murders were recorded Monday night when two men were shot in separate shootings.
Police and the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Offices said the victims were an 18-year-old man and a 37-year-old man.
First homicide
Police responded at around 7:00 p.m. to shots fired in the area of Talbot and McKinley avenues. An 18-year-old man was found with apparent gunshot wounds inside a vehicle. The victim, identified by family members as Davierre Hale, was taken to Summa Akron City Hospital where he later died.
The unknown shooter shot the victim multiple times before fleeing the scene in an older model vehicle, possibly a 4-door Ford Focus or Fusion, police said. Police found shell casings at the scene.
Residents reported several nearby houses were also struck by gunfire. No additional injuries were reported.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip.
Second homicide
A 37-year-old man was found shot in the area of Dover and Bellevue avenues.
Before officers arrived, residents reported hearing multiple gunshots in the area.
When officers arrived, the 37-year-old victim was found with a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to Akron General Medical Center where he died.
Police said unknown shooters fled the scene in a dark-colored vehicle. No arrests have been made.
